long long time ago on the distant planet called Batuu, there is a trading post for all sorts of traders, smugglers and bounty hunters – Black Spire Outpost a settlement where everyone keeps their head down and tries to stay off the First Order scanners…..
Black Spire Outpost opened this Summer and is the newest ‘land’ in Hollywood Studios. Adjacent to Toy Story Land this is a totally immersive land, the level of detail and theming is absolutely second to none. People have said it’s more film set than theme park… the rides are Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s run and Rise of the Resistance.
The newest ride, Rise of the Resistance opened a few days ago, this is possibly one of the biggest rides WDW have ever built. A fully immersive experience where you are helping the local Resistance fighters strike back at the First Order. From the moment you step into the shuttle craft its a non-stop thrill ride! And at nearly 18 minutes long you are gonna need something to calm you down afterwards. We were at Hollywood Studios last year and saw this land being created. Boy oh boy just looking at the spires over the fence in Toy Story Land we could tell it was going to be very special.
This ride is so ginormous there are 2 FULL SIZE AT-AT’s in the hanger bay. Yes, i said full size… also full size Tie Fighters are dotted about in the hanger. Still cannot believe the actual size of this attraction.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run was the opening day attraction, you and your friends get to pilot the famous craft on a mission to steal from the First Order. Now if you had told us at age 11 that we could have piloted the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy we would not have believed you..not gonna lie it’s a bit surreal to think that you CAN do it! Think Mr Oh Orlando is going to have a ‘moment’ when he first sees it. Let alone fly in it. The mission is flown on behalf of smuggler/business man Hondo Ohnaka of Ohnaka Transport Solutions. You will fly with a crew of 6, 2 pilots, 2 gunners and 2 engineers. Needless to say the pilot seats are the most requested. If your mission is successful and you have managed to ‘rescue’ cough cough.. the cargo you will have made a profit for Hondo, and he’ll be very happy! BUT if there is any damage to the ship you will be paying for any repairs out of your share! The level of detail on this ride is excellent, the cockpit is virtually the same as the ‘’Falcon” in the films, albeit the seats are laid out a little differently. There is a vast array of buttons to push and knobs to twist. So you won’t be stuck for something to do during your ‘flight’.
The attention to detail is some of the best we’ve seen in a long while. Even the ‘holo’ chess table in the crew area, for the die hard Star Wars fan there are Easter Eggs galore hidden about the place, so keep a weather eye open and see how many you can spot. If you have a bad flight and cause any damage to the ‘Falcon’ you are greeted on your exit by sparks and buzzing and damaged panels. Not to mention Chewy will want a word with you, after all it’s his pride and joy!
Now after being chased by the First Order or flying a hunk of junk, you bare gonna be a bit hungry. Well Black Spire Outpost has you covered. Pop over to Ronto Roasters for a little snack. One of the most popular meals here is the Ronto Roasters wrap. A grilled pork sausage in a peppercorn sauce with a tangy slaw wrapped in a pita bread. Yummy. The breakfast one is scrambled eggs, grilled pork sausage shredded cheddar and a peppercorn sauce. These are around the $12.50 mark. Or a non alcoholic drink such as a Tatooine sunset, contains unsweetened tea, lemonade with melon and blueberry. (Must admit that sound’s really good!!)
You can even get the galaxy wide famous blue milk!! Yes!! Blue milk. Just like Luke drank! Now, if you fancy a more ‘grown up’ drink you can visit Oga’s Cantina, this is where we like to think all the bounty hunters come looking for work and deals are made. There is a wide choice of alcoholic drinks in here with some superb names,
Such as the Bloody Rancor, or Blue Banther , Dagobah Slug Slinger or my favourite name, the Fuzzy Tauntaun and last but not least the Yub Nub.
There are a few fun things to do whilst here, the characters all interact with you from the Resistance fighters hiding out to the first order troopers looking for the aforementioned fighters. The greeting when entering the ‘spire’ during the morning is ‘bright suns!’ Or in the evening its ‘rising moons’ if you want to proclaim your alliance to the rebels say to someone while interacting ‘ignite the spark’ if they are on the side of the rebels they will reply ‘light the fire’ fun stuff! The first order troopers keep stopping people using their ‘data pads’ or as well call them, mobile phones. There is a fun game to play while in the ‘spire’ using your ‘data pad’ use the play Disney Parks app. You can hack into droids, translate languages and listen to transmissions!
We cannot wait to visit here next year, it’s the next level in theme parks and theming. We know it’s going to be busy when we visit but man it’s gonna be worth the wait.
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